Utility seeking general rate increase

Monday, July 16, 2001 | 11:16 a.m.

The dominant natural gas utility serving Las Vegas is seeking a rate increase that would raise the average Southern Nevada customer's bill by $4.11 a month.

Southwest Gas Corp. announced Friday that it is seeking a general rate increase of 7.7 percent in Southern Nevada and 8 percent in Northern Nevada, which would raise annual revenues by $29.4 million. The general rate increase would raise the average Southern Nevadan's bill to $46.48 a month.

The request is Southwest's first general rate increase since 1995. General rate applications involve funding the costs of operation of the company's distribution system, and can result in an increased profit for a utility.

Since December, the company has received permission for three fuel rate increases passing increases in wholesale fuel costs to customers. These increases were not designed to increase Southwest's profit margins, but to simply pass through increased purchasing costs.

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada is expected to consider the rate increase in January.

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